Q: I would like some advise. Ever since I have started reading Tahajjud, making more Zikr and going out in jamaat, I find myself being very judgmental of others, I have thoughts that I am better than others, this makes me very scared.
I am thinking I should stop doing these amaal as it is not feeling very sincere any more. What should I do when I have these thoughts?
Q: My questions concern the notion of pride in Islam. I would like to clarify that I am a man, and I apologize for the length of my questions.
I would like to know whether pride is permissible in Islam—pride without arrogance, while being aware that it is Allah who provides. For example, is it permissible for me to tell my younger brother that I am proud of him for passing his exams?
From what I understand, pride in one’s ancestors, origins, and ‘asabiyyah is haraam. In parallel, Allah the Most High says: “O mankind, indeed We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing and All-Aware.” (Qur’an 49:13) However, if this pride is not accompanied by arrogance or a feeling of superiority over other lineages and origins, is it permissible? I am obviously referring to Muslim ancestors of our origin, not disbelieving ancestors. Is it permissible to be proud of their history, their courage and bravery in fighting in the path of Allah, their good character, their way of dressing, their traditional craftsmanship, and to promote this pride among members of my people?
Likewise, is it permissible to be proud of one’s culture of origin—clothing, traditional food, craftsmanship, way of life, etc.—and to promote this pride among one’s people and encourage them to preserve certain cultural elements? I am referring here only to permissible customs. I would also like to clarify that I appreciate seeing Muslims from other backgrounds being proud (without arrogance or a sense of superiority) of their cultures. For example, I appreciate seeing Arabs being proud and encouraging other Gulf Arabs to wear the shemagh/ghutra, or Afghans/Desi people wearing turbans and the salwar kameez. I mention this to show that my feeling is not limited to my own people, but applies to all Muslims without distinction. I also believe this can help counter the homogenization caused by the westernization of Muslim societies. If this is permissible, but this cultural pride is tied to the fact that we consider it the heritage of our (Muslim) ancestors, is it still permissible?
Finally, is it permissible to feel proud (without showing off, arrogance, or a sense of superiority) that people recognize my origin based on the clothing I wear when I travel (for a few days, not long-term) or during celebrations such as Eid (I live in a multicultural place where such clothing is not considered لباس الشهرة)?
Q:
1. In Islam, what is the perspective on self-esteem and how can it be increased?
2. What is the Islamic perspective on self-confidence and how can it be increased?
Q: What are some reasons behind someone feeling jealous so easily? And how can one change their mind to gratitude and self-satisfaction?
If someone continously feels jealousy unintentionally when they are trying to remove it repeatedly, and they still feel heart hardening, is this still jealousy? I feel it severely maybe because of arrogance or wanting praise and recognition.
Is there any difference between envy and jealousy in Islam?
Q: What is jealousy according to Islam? When does a person become sinful?
Q:
1. How can one be humble? How does humility feel like in the heart? Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Rahimahullah) said that true humility is not felt by a person just like a sleeping person doesn't know he is sleeping. What are the steps one can take to ensure they have no pride in their heart?
2. If someone makes tawbah sincerely, their sins are forgiven. How can one balance this with humility? Humility means seeing ourselves sinful and useless. If one does their best to make tawbah, how can they still feel sinful?
3. Is it against humility to like good traits one has as part of gratefulness to Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'aalaa)? How can one differentiate between 'ujb and happiness?
Q: Is it a sin to give someone the evil eye unintentionally? Is it a sin to be jealous of someone’s rahmat?
Q: Someone has jealousy issues. She gets jealous to see someone get closer to Allah. She was not doing any good like before, but after seeing that person, she started again. She thinks that she started doing good again because of jealousy. She's envious of other things too. Does it eat up the good works and can it lead to jahannam?
Q: If you get thoughts, urges or daydream about showing off your worship to other people so they will praise you but you don't act on the thoughts or urges, would you be still a sinful? Basically they are just thoughts, desires and urges of showing off in your heart but you don't physically show off.
If you get thoughts or daydream or images in your mind of shirk and kufr but never act on them physically, they are just in your mind, would you come out of Islam or become a disbeliever?
Q: I feel very jealous of my near and close friends. When something bad happens to them, I feel satisfied. I always pray to Allah to give them more. How do I get rid of this jealousy?